Education System

School District Workforce Education

For assistance, call 850-245-0446 or visit https://www.fldoe.org/academics/career-adult-edu/

What is the purpose of the programs?

Florida's school district workforce education programs provide career education and adult education to help students attain skills that enable them to become or remain economically self-sufficient.

What services are provided by the programs?

Programs may consist of continuing workforce education courses or programs of study leading to an occupational completion point, a career certificate, an applied technology diploma, a career degree, or a registered apprenticeship certificate of completion.

  • Career and Technical Education - This program provides educational programs that prepare individuals for occupations important to Florida’s economic development. Organized into 17 different career clusters, the programs are geared toward middle school, high school, district technical school, and Florida College System students. Each program includes the academic and technical skills required to be successful in today’s economy.
  • Adult Education - The adult education system includes a range of instructional programs that help adults get the basic skills they need to be productive workers, family members, and citizens. Major programs include Adult Basic Education Adult High School and GED Preparation, and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). These programs emphasize basic skills such as reading, writing, math, and English language competency. Adult education programs also help adult learners gain the knowledge and skills they need to enter and succeed in postsecondary education. 
  • Registered Apprenticeship Programs - Enables employers to develop and apply industry standards to training programs for registered apprentices that can increase productivity and improve the quality of the workforce. Apprentices who complete registered apprenticeship programs are accepted by the industry as journeyworkers. By providing on-the-job training, related classroom instruction, and guaranteed wage increases, employers who sponsor apprentices provide incentives to attract and retain more highly qualified employees and improve productivity. Certifications earned through registered apprenticeship programs are recognized nationwide. 
  • Continuing workforce education programs provide instruction for licensure renewal or skill upgrades that does not result in a technical certificate, diploma, or degree. These programs are not eligible for state funding.

How many are served by the programs?

School district workforce education programs served 167,209 students in Fiscal Year 2021-22. 

Student Enrollment in Fiscal Year 2021-22
ProgramNumber of Students
Adult General Education 113,777
Applied Technology Diploma 1,300
Apprenticeship 10,516
Career Certificate41,616
Source: Florida Department of Education.

Who provides the workforce programs?

Workforce education programs are provided by 55 of the 67 school districts throughout the state. The Department of Education provides contact information for both district technical centers and adult education contacts on its website.

How many students were awarded a completion point?

Students in career education programs achieve occupational completion points for demonstrating competencies/skills that are needed to obtain proficiency in a specific occupation. Students in adult education programs achieve literacy completion points for completion of identified literacy skills.

Completion Points Achieved by Students in Fiscal Year 2021-22
Program Number of Completion Points1
Adult General Education2 87,301
Applied Technology Diploma3 1,138
Apprenticeship3 5,474
Career Certificate3,4 50,934
1 Students may have earned more than one completion point while enrolled in a program.
2 Completion points are literacy completion points.
3 Completion points are occupational completion points.
4 Previously referred to as Postsecondary Career Certificate Vocational
Source: Florida Department of Education.


What type of statewide information is available on student outcomes?

The Department of Education and Department of Economic Opportunity provide information on outcomes for district workforce education program completers.

How are these activities funded?

The Legislature appropriates funds for workforce education programs, which the school districts then allocate for career and adult education programs locally. A description of the funding policy is provided on the Department of Education website. In addition, s. 1009.22, Florida Statutes, requires adult education programs to assess block tuition of $45 per half year or $30 per term and career certificate and applied technology to be $2.33 per contact hour for residents and $6.99 per contact hour for non-residents.

Where can I find related OPPAGA reports?

Career Statewide Articulation Agreements, Report 23-10, November 2023
Florida College System Industry Certifications, Report 19-10, October 2019
School District Postsecondary Industry Certifications, Report 19-09, October 2019

Where can I get more information?

Websites of Interest
Florida Department of Education, Career and Adult Education
U.S. Department of Education, Office of Career, Technical, and Adult and Education
CareerSource Florida

Performance Information


Performance measures and standards for the department may be found in its Long Range Program Plan.

What are the applicable statutes?

Chapter 1004 Part IV, Florida Statutes

Whom do I contact for help?

Chancellor, Division of Career and Adult Education, 850-245-0446
Website